Progressive Download’s John Farrell notes brain scans that provide evidence of consciousness even in very young infants.

Drew Rowsome praises the Toronto production of the musical Fun Home, based on the Alison Bechdel graphic novel. I, for one, can’t wait to see it.

Starts With A Bang’s Ethan Siegel notes that, although Proxima Centauri is far too active a star for Proxima Centauri b to be Earth-like, that world could still plausibly host life-supporting environments.

Ilya Somin at the Volokh Conspiracy suggests a recent deal at the federal level in the US between Trump and Cory Gardner has created space for states to legalize marijuana without fear of federal intervention.

Bad Astronomer Phil Plait notes that a recent massive flare at Proxima Centauri, one that made the star become a thousand times brighter, not only makes Proxima b unlikely to be habitable but makes it unlikely Proxima has (as some suggested) a big planetary system.

The Dragon’s Tales notes that South Korea, contrary to earlier reports, is not going to ban cryptocurrency.

Hornet Stories notes that six American states–Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, and Oklahoma–have seen the introduction of legislation replacing marriage with a marriage contract, on account of marriage equality.

JSTOR Daily reports on the deep similarities and differences between serfdom in Russia and slavery in the United States, both formally abolished in the 1860s.

Language Hat links to a Telegraph article reporting on the efforts of different people to translate different ancient languages.

The New APPS Blog notes that, after Delta dropped its discount for NRA members, the pro-NRA governor of Georgia dropped tax breaks for the airline.

This call for the world to respond to the horrors in Syria, shared at the NYR Daily, is likely to fall on deaf ears.

At Strange Maps, Frank Jacobs shares some maps showing areas where the United States is truly exceptional.

Supernova Condensate notes how nested planetary orbits can be used to trace beautiful spirograph patterns.

Window on Eurasia notes how no one in the Soviet Union in 1991 was prepared to do anything to save the Soviet Union.